Health Policy Analysis - An Introduction

This book is intended for students, teachers, and educators interested in health policymaking. A key theme in the book is that health policymaking includes more than translating empirical knowledge about the determinants of health and disease into effective policy measures. A linear path from knowledge to health policy does not exist. Though undoubtedly essential, empirical knowledge on the determinants of life expectancy, quality of life, infant mortality, maternity death, health disparities, and other public health parameters is only one dimension of health policymaking. An instrumental view on health policymaking falls short because it neglects what may be called its political face. Health policymaking is not only a matter of applying empirical knowledge into practice but also the outcome of political contests, ideological beliefs, commercial interests, power, and standardized practices. This book aims to train students in analyzing the impact of these factors on health policymaking.